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隐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
隐yǐnsecretHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yǐnhiddenHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yǐnconcealedHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yǐn(prefix) crypto-HSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yǐnto lean uponHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yǐnto hide, to conceal; secret, hiddenHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìnsecretHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìnhiddenHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìnconcealedHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìn(prefix) crypto-HSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìnto lean uponHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
隐yìnto hide, to conceal; secret, hiddenHSK 6, n, 11 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7808, Hard
yǐn(yin3)yin
primary
 T3
  1. 1secret
  2. 2hidden
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March 24, 2026

隐(隱)yǐn(yin3)

The character 隐 (yǐn) refers to something that is secret, hidden, or concealed. It can describe both physical things that are obscured from view and abstract concepts such as secrets or hidden intentions. Commonly used in contexts involving privacy, confidentiality, or stealth.

Strokes11Radical阝Frequency#7808DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of privacy and secrets plays a significant role, particularly in personal relationships and family matters. The term 隐私 (yǐnsī) is frequently discussed in the context of social media and data privacy.

Memory tip

Imagine a shadowy figure (隐) lurking in the background, hidden from sight. The character has the radical '阝' (hill) suggesting something that is not easily accessible, combined with '隐' (yǐn), which sounds like 'in,' indicating something is kept inside or concealed.

Meanings of 隐

yǐn(yin3)
primary
1secret
2hidden
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 隐

隐Simplified
隱Traditional
11Strokes
阝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7808Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6

Podcast: 隐

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Podcast: 隐

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AI study notes for 隐

Quick Contrast

隐 (yǐn) vs 暗 (àn) — use 隐 when referring to something that is hidden or concealed intentionally, while 暗 refers to something that is dark or lacking light.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 隐 with similar characters like 显 (xiǎn), which means 'to reveal.' This word is typically used in formal contexts, especially in discussions of security or privacy. Be mindful of proper tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

While 隐 is not a specific HSK word, it relates to other HSK vocabulary on privacy and concealment. Students should focus on using it in phrases and understanding its prefix role in words like '隐私' (yǐnsī), meaning 'privacy.'

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 隐 with 隐瞒 (yǐnmán - to conceal) and misuse them interchangeably. For example, saying '我隐这个秘密' (I hide this secret) is incorrect; it should be '我隐瞒这个秘密'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 隐

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Etymology of 隐

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 隱. Phonosemantic compound. 阝 represents the meaning and 㥯 represents the sound.

Memory hint

A place 阝 to hide when worried 急

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

What kind of character is 隐?

Decomposition of 隐

IDS Structure⿰阝急
隐Full character
=
阝yi4
left
急ji2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 隐?

How to say secret in Chinese

“secret” in Chinese is隐yǐn

The character 隐 (yǐn) refers to something that is secret, hidden, or concealed. It can describe both physical things that are obscured from view and abstract concepts such as secrets or hidden intentions. Commonly used in contexts involving privacy, confidentiality, or stealth.

When to use 隐

Learners often confuse 隐 with similar characters like 显 (xiǎn), which means 'to reveal.' This word is typically used in formal contexts, especially in discussions of security or privacy. Be mindful of proper tone pronunciation, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.

隐 or something close to it

隐 (yǐn) vs 暗 (àn) — use 隐 when referring to something that is hidden or concealed intentionally, while 暗 refers to something that is dark or lacking light.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 隐 with 隐瞒 (yǐnmán - to conceal) and misuse them interchangeably. For example, saying '我隐这个秘密' (I hide this secret) is incorrect; it should be '我隐瞒这个秘密'.

Write 隐

隐

Practice writing 隐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 隐

隐 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

网络固然给我们带来了便利，可是也给____私保护带来了烦恼。

The internet has admittedly brought us convenience, but it has also brought trouble for privacy protection.

Example sentences for 隐 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我不断听到隐约的鼓掌声。

wǒ búduàn tīngdào yǐnyuē de gǔzhǎng shēng。

I kept hearing the sound of applause in the background.
2
我隐隐觉得打电话的是桑特罗。

wǒ yǐn yǐn juéde dǎdiànhuà de shì Sāng tè luō。

I just had a feeling that it was Santero on the telephone.
3
任何隐藏的东西都是有害的（所以披露就等于安全）。

rènhé yǐncáng de dōngxi dōushì yǒuhài de（ suǒyǐ pīlù jiù děngyú ānquán）。

Whatever is hidden is harmful (hence revelation equals security).
4
该报违反了保护隐私的行为准则。

gāi bào wéifǎn le bǎohù yǐnsī de xíngwéi zhǔnzé。

The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
5
我隐隐觉得他们恐怕要成功了。

wǒ yǐn yǐn juéde tāmen kǒngpà yào chénggōng le。

I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.
6
一场暴风雨致使公路隐患重重且电力瘫痪。

yī chǎng bàofēngyǔ zhìshǐ gōnglù yǐnhuàn chóngchóng qiě diànlì tānhuàn。

A storm has made roads treacherous and knocked out power.
7
他的酒店至少应该提供一点隐私保护。

tā de jiǔdiàn zhìshǎo yīnggāi tígōng yīdiǎn yǐnsī bǎohù。

The least his hotel could do is provide a little privacy.
8
艾森豪威尔离开白宫，退隐到他在葛底斯堡的农场。

ài sēn háo wēi ěr líkāi bái gōng， tuì yǐn dào tā zài gé de Sī bǎo de nóngchǎng。

Eisenhower left the White House and retired to his farm in Gettysburg.
9
我们隐约感觉可能正有什么事情发生。

wǒmen yǐnyuē gǎnjué kěnéng zhèng yǒu shénme shìqing fāshēng。

We had an inkling that something might be happening.
10
内心深处隐隐感觉到有什么事即将发生。

nèixīn shēnchù yǐn yǐn gǎnjué dào yǒu shénme shì jíjiāng fāshēng。

Deep inside the awareness was stirring that something was about to happen.

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Cultural Notes for 隐

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of privacy is often more openly discussed and legally protected than in some Asian cultures, where discussing personal matters is sometimes seen as intrusive.

Word Family of 隐

Compounds1
瘾yǐnaddiction
Words containing this character20
隐藏yǐncángto hide隱藏
隐瞒yǐnmánto conceal隱瞞
隐私yǐnsīsecrets隱私
隐yǐnsecret隱
隐患yǐnhuànhidden damage隱患
隐形yǐnxínginvisible隱形
隐蔽yǐnbìto conceal隱蔽
隐身yǐnshēnto hide oneself隱身
隐隐yǐnyǐnfaint隱隱
隐秘yǐnmìsecret隱秘
隐约yǐnyuēvague隱約
隐形眼镜yǐnxíngyǎnjìngcontact lens隱形眼鏡
隐性yǐnxìnghidden隱性
隐居yǐnjūto live in seclusion隱居
隐含yǐnhánimplicit隱含
隐匿yǐnnìto cover up隱匿
隐喻yǐnyùmetaphor隱喻
隐私权yǐnsīquánprivacy right隱私權
隐忍yǐnrěnto bear patiently隱忍
隐情yǐnqíngulterior motive隱情
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 隐

What does 瘾 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 隐

You can use 隐 (yǐn) in a sentence to describe something that is not overtly visible or is kept secret. For example, '这个地方隐秘' (zhège dìfāng yǐnmì) means 'This place is secretive.' It can also be used in other phrases like '隐形' (yǐnxíng) which means 'invisible'.

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